Any cruise veterans can help 2012 cruises?

fibe

Hi
Can anyone guide me in the right direction please?
I want to book a cruise for 2012 (May or June or whenever is cheapest) is it better to book ahead or see if I can snatch a bargain nearer the time?
Also any good sites for fly cruises please?
I am at a total loss, thomson cruises are quoting around £750-800 with a drinks package and flights included which I think is quite good - am I on the right track?
Any help appreciated - cruise beginner

skid112

some say earlier the better, in my opinion the later the better
for piece of mind if you have the cruise you are after and the price is right now then book now.
Cant advice on fly cruises, did one hated it!

fibe

By fly cruise I mean the flight is included to palma in the price -
(told you I didnt know what I was talking about lol )
does it mean something else?

skid112

nope thats a fly cruise! I did one to the US and round the Caribbean and South America, flying to US fine cruise lovely, flying back absolute nightmare. :eek:

martinthebandit

The last fly cruise we did (Western Caribbean) we used Virgin Atlantic, this year though we are sailing from Tilbury Docks which we booked through here http://www.gillscruise.com/

fibe

I am in NI so its easier to fly direct from here than get to southampton which is only UK departure I have found so far but will try gills cruises - thanks

travellerboy

The first bit of advise is Don't touch Thomson Cruises, they are second rate and use nacker-yard boats and call them Cruise Ships.

The longer you leave booking, the narrow your choice becomes. If you don't care about type of cabin then it is possible to get a good last minute price. You take the risk that discounts will be offered, sometimes they are and sometimes not. Is it a risk worth taking, only you can decide. Also if a flight is involved you are likely to pay the highest cost to get to the port, if you leave it late.

If you see a cruise priced at about £75pppn, take it, they seldomly fall below this level.

Booking early, booking late is always a difficult decision - best of luck.

skid112

now as much as I felt like saying bad things about Thompson i refrained, your choice who you use

fibe

I only went to thomson cos my mum and dad use them but they always do carribean, didnt know about med cruises when I asked them.
But I think I will go for it at that price then, especially as that includes a drinks package. thanks for help all.

fibe

I dont even know any other cruise lines!
Think I may need more internet searching, thanks again for help all

skid112

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2713505
try this thread.
Gills is good, Bolsover, Liverpool Cruise Club, cruise.co.uk for reviews, 1stforcrusing and i have heard that Thomas Ciook are getting a little more competetive too